View Full Version : Shad on Flies
Eric W.
04-10-2002, 02:42 AM
Any one interested in hooking up to go shad fishing on the willamette. I never caught shad on a fly rod- heard it is a blast. I believe late May/June is best?!?!? I've heard people do pretty good from Clackamete (sp) park by McDonalds. Just tell me what I need to tie and I'll get on it. Ya know they call it the "poor mans tarpon"
YEEEEHAAAA - fish on!
deefly
04-10-2002, 06:45 AM
Hello Eric:
A few years back I tied up some VERY SIMPLE flash flies and killed shad on them: Recipe:
#6 silver hook
Body: Orange or Chartruese Lumo floss
Wing: same
Head: same color of thread.
We strung these above a 2 oz wt and lowered away!
those shad fight like steelies! But boy, do they ever STINK!! Nice to look at but dont touch!!
Good luck
Deefly :shocked:
drbfish
04-11-2002, 03:44 PM
It is great fun, but from the park I don't know...there will be people everywhere and getting some casting room will be hard. Try to find other places or a boat. There are rocky points that you can find and cast from just search a bit. A boat would be the best bet.
PittsburghD
04-11-2002, 09:32 PM
I've never fished them on flies, but rocked them on Dick Nites about the second and third week in June right off Clackamette. We used almost two to three ounces of lead to keep them down. I don't understand in the current, how you could keep a fly down. This is at least in the areas others are fishing with hardware. Perhaps you could go for a few near the bank and hope for the best? Any thoughts?
Tanner
04-15-2002, 01:52 PM
I spend a lot of time flyfishing for them in late May and June up near the falls in my boat. You want a heavy sinking or sink tip line on a 6 or seven weight rod. The water flow will determine how heavy of line you need to use so bring a few of them with you. Also, shooting heads can be a good way to adapt to the conditions.
Most of the flies I tie for them are tied with a red or chartreuse floss body with matching color mylar wing. I also use the dumbell type eyes.
Shad are great fighters on a fly but I don't think I would go as far as comparing them to a steelhead. I'll take a steelhead fight over a shad fight any time.
Try a 1/32 ounce or 1/16 ounce painted (or paint them yourself) jig head with some krystal flash, minnow body or everglow tubing wrapped with a hot thread color. Enough said! Enjoy!
fishesfrom tupperware
04-17-2002, 10:43 AM
Sounds like an lc-13 head would be good to get a fly down or is that overkill and relegated to the surf?
ultralight
04-19-2002, 01:25 PM
Flyfishing for shad would be better suited for smaller rivers such as Umpqua due to the current and depth factors. Unless you use additional lead to get near the bottom, other fishing methods would be more effective.
Has anyone fished for shad in the Umpqua river? I have flyfished for smallies using nymphes with some success, but most were quite small.
Tanner
04-19-2002, 03:33 PM
Ultralight,
I beg to differ with you. With the large variety of full sink and sink tip lines out now there is very little water that a flyfisherman can't fish if he wants to invest in the gear.
I have absolutely slayed the shad on my 7 weight up at Oregon City right below the falls during what most would call a medium flow year.